Ballinaglera to host Art and farming meet for series of farm walks
An artist farm walk was held recently on the family farm of Gavin and Carol Durkin, Ballinaglera, County Leitrim. Pic. Brian Farrell
The Dock Arts Centre in Carrick-on-Shannon is working with Leitrim Sustainable Agriculture Group, Leitrim County Council Arts Office and Ulster Wildlife to present a series of creative farm walks in Leitrim and Fermanagh.
Funded by Creative Ireland and the Shared Island Unit, the project draws attention to common interests between artists and farmers in such themes as biodiversity, farming in harmony with nature, water quality and climate action.
On Saturday, June 22nd the Durkin family hosted a creative farm walk on their organic farm at Ballinaglera, County Leitrim. Carol and Gavin shared their passion for biodiversity and farming in harmony with nature, and the joy that social farming has brought to their lives.
Charlotte Kelly shared more about Social Farming Ireland, before artist Deirdre O’Mahony and ecologist David McCormick guided the group through the farm’s impressive species-rich meadows.
The artists and farmers were treated to local history and tunes with musicians Sean Gilrane, Oliver Loughlin and Michael Dietz, followed by ice-cream by Leitrim Hill Creamery made with honey from the farm.
Another highlight of the day was two poems by Eva Durkin (aged 9) and Kameron Durkin (aged 11) written and performed especially for the farm walk. For more information about the farm walks, you can visit www.thedock.ie or email thedockartscentre@gmail.com
